Dog on the mend after being left for dead

Friday

An unwanted dog that was bound, shot and left for dead now has a fleet of supporters.

An unwanted dog that was bound, shot and left for dead now has a fleet of supporters.

People began hearing of Camilla’s horrific story earlier this week.

The 2-year-old terrier mix had suffered unthinkable abuse before being dumped in a ditch on Sorrells Baxter Roadin the Lincoln County portion of Cherryville.

Someone reported seeing the animal, its head bloody and back paws tied together with rope.

A Lincoln County Animal Services officer drove out to find the dog still alive. A bullet had shot straight through her head and caused severe trauma to her right eye.

The officer took the dog to Maiden Small Animal Hospital.

LaDonna Mabe with Happy Tails Rescue heard of the case, and the group stepped up to help the homeless, injured animal.

On the mend

The thrown away dog now has a support system in the rescue group, and she’s been named Camilla.

The name means “warrior maiden.” Mabe said it was an appropriate name because the dog is a warrior who’s been cared for in Maiden.

This week, Camilla has undergone surgery to remove her traumatized eye and repair her damaged skull.

She’s rebounded well though she’s struggled through some allergic reactions to antibiotics.

Camilla left the animal hospital Friday, headed to her foster home in Newton.

People who’ve heard Camilla’s story have contacted the rescue group – some interested in making donations and others offering to give Camilla a home.

Camilla will remain in a foster home while she recovers from the surgery and the assault, Mabe said.

Before Camilla is placed in a permanent home, her caregivers will screen applicants and conduct home visits, Mabe said.

Community support

Camilla may not have been wanted by the person who abused her, but she’s got quite the fan base now, according to Mabe.

Mabe said she’s received nearly 50 phone calls and multiple emails.

Her abuser has not been caught.

Animal Services workers talked to neighbors but no one seemed to have seen what happened, according to David Workman, manager of the Lincoln County animal shelter.

Happy Tails put up a $500 reward for tips leading to an arrest.

That reward has increased to $1,450 thanks to people calling in and making donations, Mabe said.

The publicity, and possibly the reward, has enticed some people to contact the rescue group with tips. Mabe has passed those along to Workman.

“We’re checking into the leads now to see if there’s any information that we can go on,” Workman said.

Camilla’s vet bills have also been covered, and she’s gotten some nice gifts, according to Mabe. Any additional donations will be used to up the reward and pay for Camilla’s checkups and future medical costs.

Top dog

Mabe has seen the compassion that people have for animals. She’s also seen evidence of the cruelty people can inflict.

The overwhelming response to Camilla’s story keeps Mabe positive about the good in people, she said.

“There are bad people out there, but there are so many more people out there who care,” she said. “We just couldn’t ask for people to be any better. They’ve just been so concerned about her.”

Mabe has chronicled Camilla’s journey on the Happy Tails Facebook page. When the interest got so great, Mabe made Camilla her own page.

The dog has gotten more than 1,000 likes in less than a week.

On the page, Mabe talks in first person from Camilla’s point of view. People are lapping it up, Mabe said.